Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 2023 | Event Schedule | Map of Event Locations | Parade Route Map | Mainstage Tickets + Fireworks and Carnival! See the CGC Hollyhock, Spar, Neah Bay, Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley | + Fun Things To Do Nearby!
2023 Coast Guard Festival | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Last updated: June 15, 2023
Join us in Grand Haven Michigan to honor the incredible men and women of the United States Coast Guard!
- Enjoy the colorful Kids and Grand Parade (my favorite!), games and rides at the carnival, breathtaking fireworks, lively mainstage concerts, 5k, engaging ship tours, craft show and so much fun!
When is the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Michigan?
July 28 – August 6, 2023
How long is Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival? The festival runs for 10 days!
Where is the Coast Guard Festival? The festival is located in Grand Haven, Michigan - right along Lake Michigan!
Why is Grand Haven Coast Guard City? For several years the Coast Guard has been serving in the Grand Haven area. This festival celebrates the men and women of the United States Coast Guard serving in the West Michigan area.
How many people go to the Coast Guard Festival? Approximately 350,000 people attend this popular Michigan festival each year!
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival History
The Coast Guard Festival began in 1924 as a Coast Guard personnel only picnic. During the early Coast Guard festival days, service members stationed in Grand Haven enjoyed competitive rowing competitions. Now, this incredible festival is attended by thousands including the nation's highest ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C.
{Pretty cool, huh?}
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival focuses on the National Coast Guard Memorial Service honoring those who sacrificed their lives in service. So let's celebrate our heroes, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard!
Grand Haven is designated as the “Coast Guard City, USA” by an Act of Congress and signed by the President of the United States on November 13, 1998.
Coast Guard Gifts-Cool Stuff
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Good Night Coast Guard is a lovely book illustrating the different types of boats and rescue vehicles. Perfect for young children to go on an adventure while learning about the guardians of the lakes and oceans!
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These Professional Quality Coast Guard Playing Cards make a great gift or addition to your game room. Disabled Veteran owned business.
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Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map
Check out the locations of the festival events on the interactive map below!
Grab our interactive Google Coast Guard Festival Map.
2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Schedule of Events
There's so many Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival events to enjoy this year! This events page will be continuously updated as new events are announced.
Friday, July 28, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 10 am-5 pm. This lovely quilt show is themed, “Of Sky and Sea” and you can see 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven, Michigan
Cost: $7.00
Simply Queen - A tribute Band, 7:30 pm. Enjoy all the iconic songs that have made Queen one of the most legendary rock bands of all time!
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15
Sherry Touring a Coast Guard Ship at the Grand Haven Coast Guard FestivalSaturday, July 29, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 9 am-4 pm. This lovely quilt show is themed, “Of Sky and Sea” and you can see 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave.
Tickets: $7.00
Tri-Cities YMCA Coast Guard City USA Run, 7:30am. Downtown Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Run! Contact the Tri Cities YMCA for details.
Cost: $2.00
Kids Parade - 10:30 am
Parade Route: (SEE MAP ABOVE) Parade route: start at 5th St. & Franklin, West on Franklin to 1st St., North on 1st to Washington, East on Washington to 5th St.
“Global Guardians….. Hometown Heroes” is the theme of the 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival kids parade.
Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map
Cardboard Boat Race Competition - 1:30 pm.
There will be two classes of racers in the 150-yard race and limited to 20 boats. The Buoy Class: ages 10-15 and the Cutter Class: anyone age 16 and older. Two-person and 3 to 8- person vessels are allowed.
Prize categories include fastest time, Fleet Award (best themed boat), Iceberg Award (best sinking!) and People’s Choice.
Boats will be on display at 12:00 p.m. until race so the public can vote for People’s Choice!
Location: Waterfront Stadium
Register for the Cardboard Boat Race!
Woodstock Revival - 7:30pm. One great band, lots of hits! Enjoy many great tributes to Santana, Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band, Sly and the Family Stone as well as hits from Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane…for the full Woodstock experience.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Views of the USCGC Hollyhock (214) at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Sunday, July 30, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Cruise-In Car Show - 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Come on out from 1-4 pm at the Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic. Register early if you wish to have your vehicle in the show! Trophies and awards!
Free!
Location: Coast Guard Park, Ferrysburg, Michigan
Flea On Seventh - 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Shop dozens of vendors! 7th street between Washington and Columbus.
Location: 7th street between Washington and Columbus (SEE MAP)
Community Picnic - 1 pm-4 pm FREE
Enjoy food, games and music to celebrate the annual picnic that was the start of the Coast Guard Festival 98 years ago! Hosted by the City of Ferrysburg.
Location: Coast Guard Park, Ferrysburg
Monday, July 31, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Coast Guard Festival Parade of Ships - 1 pm - 3:00 pm. FREE
The Coast Guard Festival parade of ships is such an anticipated event to kick off the festival! Wave to the gorgeous CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, and CGC Biscayne Bay as they sail into the port of Grand Haven.
Location: Port of Grand Haven
Ship Tours - 6 pm – 8 pm - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay
Location: Escanaba Park
The Caverners – A Tribute to the Beatles, 7:30 pm. The Caverners debuted in 1994 and have since been exciting audiences with their note for note perfect portrayal of The Beatles in concert.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Coastie Golf Tournament - Golf Outing is for Retired and Current Coast Guard Personnel Only. Tuesday, August 1st, 2023.
– Registration at 8:00 am
– Shotgun start at 9:00 am.
Location: Pigeon Creek Golf Club – 10195 120th Ave. West Olive MI 49460
Kids Day - 10 am - 2 pm. FREE
Games, displays, storytelling, face painting, bounce houses and learn building basics, arts and crafts, and the Prince and Princess contest at Kids Day during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival! Get your photo taken on the Red Carpet and then look for it on our Facebook Page.
Visit the Meijer Food Truck and PNC Bank Mobile Learning Adventure Area.
Location: Mulligan’s Hollow
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 6 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $25 Armband
Ship Tours - 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. FREE CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay
Location: Escanaba Park
Street Dance With Brena - 8:30 pm-10:30 pm FREE
Enjoy The Grand Rapids cover band, Brena! Dance and sing along to hits from the 80s, 90s, and NOW. From “Shout” to Motown, rock, and country, the show has something for everyone!
Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th (SEE MAP!)
Country Legends Tributes – Garth Brooks – Shania Twain and Keith Urban, Tuesday – August 1st, 2023 – 7:30 pm.
Country Legends Tribute Tour is established as North Americas #1 Country Music Tribute show featuring big names including Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Toby Keith, The Zac Brown, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban and more.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Seniors Day - 8 am - 2 pm Mulligan's Hollow events. FREE!
- 8:00 am: Pickleball Tournament players 50 years and older, Mulligan’s Hollow Courts. Register!
- 10:00 am: Get Well Expo
- 10:00 am: Zumba, Cardio drumming and Line Dancing Instruction and Fun!
- 11:00 am: Entertainment
- Noon: Boxed lunch
- 12:45-2 pm: Bingo with prizes
- 12:45-2 pm: Musical Entertainment by Silverado
Location: Mulligan's Hollow
Softball Tournament - 8:30AM
Come on out to watch this competitive softball tournament between Coast Guard personnel only. Cheer like crazy! Be sure to register.
Location: YMCA Softball Field
Ship Tours - 10 am -12 pm, 1 pm -3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. FREE CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley
Location: Escanaba Park
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm. Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $25 Armband
Red Carpet Photos - 5:30 pm-8:30 pm FREE
The kids will love getting a free Coast Guard Festival photo taken on the Red Carpet! Find yourself on the Festival Facebook page.
Location: TBD
Waterball Competition - 6:00 pm FREE
Come on out to watch a friendly competition with members of the Public Safety Departments, Local Fire Departments, and US Coast Guard Personnel. Somebody's gonna get wet!
Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th Street. (SEE MAP!)
The Retirees Dinner (Private Event) 5 pm. Reunion bbq for those retired from the United States Coast Guard. Reservations required.
Location: The Eagles - Columbus and 2nd St.
Trilogy Classics Live – Journey, Foreigner and Styx. Wednesday – August 2nd, 2023 7:30 pm
Trilogy Classics Live is a group of 5 world class, journeymen musicians brought together to rock the legendary sounds of 3 of the biggest, multi-platinum selling acts of the commercial rock era.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Thursday, August 3, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Coast Guard Recruiting Presentation, FREE,August 3, 2023, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard is inviting job seekers between the ages of 17-41 to meet with local Coast Guard representatives who have the inside scoop on the latest bonuses! If you want to travel, learn a trade, or just explore your options, come to their seminar and learn about the FREE tuition and healthcare benefits the Coast Guard offers, and see if you qualify for a signing bonus!
Location: Sector Field Office Grand Haven: 605 S. Harbor Drive Grand Haven MI 49417
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm. Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $30 Armband
Better Bags Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser - Register before Aug 2!!
Players meet at 5:15 pm with play beginning at 5:30 until about 9:00 pm.
Location: Lucy’s Deli Parking Lot
Cost: $50 for a team of two.
Community Dinner (Hero & Legends Dinner) 5:30 pm (Private, invite only)
Sunset BLVD – 80’s Rock Concert! Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Sunset BLVD will transport you back to 1987 with loud guitars, big hair and the hits of 80s-rock (with a touch of pop). Hailing from Detroit Rock City, Sunset BLVD delivers an arena style show, equipped with an LED video wall, state-of-the-art sound and lighting and wardrobe straight out of your favorite hair band’s closet! You'll rock Motley Crue, Poison, Bon Jovi & GNR, Michael Jackson, Heart & Joan Jett, this band delivers the best of the Good-Time Era!!!
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Friday, August 4, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Guard Spouses Breakfast - 8:30am PRIVATE
Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9 am-6 pm FREE. Shop handmade arts and crafts!
Location: Central Park
Ship Tours - 10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 2 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: $30 Armband
Walk of Coast Guard History - 12 pm (noon) FREE
Dedicatiopn of the newest point of Coast Guard History.
Location: Grand Haven City Hall, 519 Washington Avenue Grand Haven, MI
Welcome Reception, 2:30 pm PRIVATE
National Memorial Service PRIVATE 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A moving tribute to those Coast Guard personnel who have died in the line of duty during the past year.
Location: Escanaba Park
Face 2 Face – A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel. Friday – August 4th, 2023 – 7:30pm
Face 2 Face is an amazing tribute to superstar Elton John and Billy Joel. Elton and Billy dominated the charts through the 70s, 80s and 90s selling millions of records with mega hits such as Saturday Night, Crocodile Rock, Yellow Brick Road, Candle in the Wind, Piano Man, Big Shot, Just the Way You Are.
Face 2 Face is a high energy, interactive show with funny performance bits, sing-a-long parts and spontaneous humor.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $15.00
Saturday, August 5, 2022 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events
Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9:00 am-5:00 pm FREE. Shop handmade arts and crafts!
Location: Central Park
Ship Tours -10 am-12 pm, 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm. - FREE. CGC Hollyhock, CGC Spar, CGC Neah Bay, CGC Biscayne Bay and CCGS Risley.
Location: Escanaba Park
Grand Parade -11:45 am FREE
See more than 100 entries salute the men & women of the United States Coast Guard in this annual event.
Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map. The Grand Parade begins on Sheldon St at Colfax.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2023 - 12 pm-11 pm
Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk. This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!
Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)
Cost: Valid from 12 pm-4 pm: $20 armband; tickets only after 4 pm.
The Modern Gentlemen/Fireworks - Saturday – August 5th, 2023 – 8:00 pm. This concert ticket also includes the Fireworks Extravaganza Show!
The Modern Gentleman has become the premier vocal harmony group of their generation celebrating the Great American songbook and more! They’ve toured all over the U.S., Canada, U.K., Asia, Israel, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. They’ve performed in London, England at Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra, the O2 Arena, Hampton Court and BBC Proms In The Park for over 40,000 people! They represented their country on, “A Capitol Fourth” in Washington D.C. with Michael McDonald, Patti LaBelle, John Williams and others.
Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage
Tickets: $25.00
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Schedule, Events and Things to SeeWhere to Park for Coast Guard Festival
Not gonna lie, parking is tricky if you get to the Coast Guard Festival later in the day or on the weekends. We enjoy parking at Chinook Pier and then walking to see the ships, carnival and other events. Parking is free at Chinook Pier but fills up very quickly. See our Map below for parking locations.
Harbor Transit’s parking locations for the Coast Guard Saturday Park-and-Ride is TBD.
Top Things To Do in Grand Haven Michigan!
Things To Do in Grand Haven Michigan: Grab the Guide!After enjoying the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, be sure to stay in the area to enjoy the beach, state park, shops and more!
Grab our Grand Haven guide for lots of fun ideas of things to do!
Visit nearby Saugatuck Michigan! There are so many things to do like the chain ferry!
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